Peter's long battle with Parkinson's ended peacefully Saturday morning, June 2nd, at the age of 83 and in the presence of family.
Peter was a man with a passion for life, a lover of knowledge, and an eternal student. In his spare time he enjoyed volunteering, writing poetry, playing chess, and studying philosophy, with a particular fondness for the work of Carl Jung.
A top member of the class of '56 at the University of Toronto, he graduated with a Bachelor of Engineering and spent time working for the Department of Lands and Forest. Not satisfied with just his iron ring, he returned to his studies and earned his Masters in Engineering from Cornell University - where he also met a young woman who would go on to be his wife of 57 years, Diane Andrewes (née Cestari). His joy in learning would see him return to institutions of higher education several times throughout his life.
Peter spent eight years as a practicing civil engineer before a confluence of family circumstances saw him enter the retail business. Though he would often joke that selling clothes was not what he envisioned when he was writing his thesis, the experience in his family's retail business brought with it the opportunity to explore his own entrepreneurial side, and he would go on to found the well-known bridal boutique Winchester's with his wife, which they owned and ran until retiring in 2005.
In his forties he studied law at Dalhousie University where he was President of the Law Society during the Law School's 100th anniversary, though he never articled nor practiced. In addition he also studied theology at the Atlantic School of Theology, completing all but his thesis for a Master of Theological Studies.
Peter shared his compassion with the community through his many acts of volunteer work, donating his time in palliative care hospital work, as President of the Halifax Board of Trade, Poetry Society of N.S., Co-ordinator for the Atlantic Therapeutic Touch Network, Board of Neptune Theatre, Board of Symphony Nova Scotia, Retail Council of Canada, University of King's College, Kidney Foundation of Canada, Children's Aid Society, Birthright of N.S, Canadian Red Cross Society, Halifax Civic Hospital, Council for Canadian Unity, Junior Achievement, Halifax-Dartmouth United Appeal, Atlantic Provinces Chamber of Commerce, Public Legal Education of N.S., member of the General Synod of the Anglican Church of Canada, Delegate for Canada to World Council of Churches Colloquium, Geneva. He was also a blood donor for many years, wishing to give back to the system which had helped save his wife.
A gentleman of character, integrity, and devotion to his family, he is survived by his wife Diane, his three children, his five grandchildren, and 2 great-grandchildren who will all miss him dearly.
Heartfelt thanks to all staff at Parkland at the Gardens for their sincere kindness, support and care.
A celebration of his life will be held at Parkland at the Gardens on Monday, July 9 from 3-5pm. In lieu of flowers the family would request donations to either the Kidney Foundation of Canada or Parkinson Canada.
"Even a happy life cannot be without a measure of darkness, and the word happy would lose its meaning if it were not balanced by sadness. It is far better take things as they come along with patience and equanimity." -Carl Jung
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